Inos said the CNMI Constitution requires that PSS should get at least 15 percent of government revenue, but the school system “will definitely get more than that.”
He told reporters that the administration allows PSS to carry over some funds from the current fiscal year.
NMC, which has a current budget of $4.4 million, requested for $7.6 million in FY 2012, while PSS asked for $36 million.
PSS was hoping to get at least $31 million which is its current spending level.
Inos said the administration would like every agency to have more funding but current circumstances won’t allow it.
In the case of PSS, he added, “we allowed them to receive what they asked for.”
Inos said although American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds will cease to be available at the end of this fiscal year, there are certain PSS funding requirements that must be maintained.
Public Health was also given the needed funding “flexibility” Inos added.
The soon-to-be created Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., he said, will get a budget level based on consultations with the management of the hospital.
The Department of Public Health has submitted a budget proposal of over $30 million.
The transition period for the department to become a public corporation will be from July to September, Inos said.
During the transition period, he added, “we can start putting together the management structure.”
